Artist Statement

My early journey with Fine Arts provided a real playground wherein I indulged a new level of freedom - free of the restrictions and controls to which I had become accustomed in other creative fields. Cutting, sculpting and styling hair or fashion … or producing and choreographing major fashion shows, I was always controlled by a third party - a person, an appointment, a schedule or a time frame limiting or influencing the outcome of the creation. No canvas, it seemed – was controlled by these restrictions. No painting ever spoke out halfway through the job with a change of heart or to answer a mobile phone. As a free-spirited artist, I found I could work whenever creative inspiration beckoned! However, this freedom would soon lose its space, as a constant intruder began to take over. Deadlines with commissions, acquisitions or exhibitions soon made their presence felt. My early celebration of creative freedom proved to be rather premature and naïve!

As time moved on, and I became more engaged with my art, I found that my canvas would in-fact speak out louder than any person ever could, at most inconvenient times. This third party would follow me to bed, often invade my dreams… and become nightmares that would wake me, get me out of bed and lead me back to the canvas where another idea, or some level of reconstruction would commence at any ungodly hour! I am still learning to deal with this third party – who I have named NP (Noisy Pixy). I must say, most times NP is brutally honest and together we find a solution… but other times this noisy pixy is a nuisance!

I have always responded quickly to the power of inspiration. I embrace a challenge or an experiment and never fear change - and although my art to date has seemingly established a style identity, I prefer not to be entirely locked into any one genre, subject or medium. I indulge the adventure of experimental processes and I embrace variety. I am inspired by the ‘possibility’ of an idea and am most stimulated when I break new ground . . . and conquer a process. Most new works lead an adventure that dares to take a risk and invokes emotion, a level of excitement, a measure of mischief…or a twist of humour.

My work to date features mainly oil paintings and mixed media assemblages. Most of my work could be described as ‘semiabstract’ or ‘expressionistic’ with elements of ‘surrealism’ - and often include an entertaining narrative or story. Other works are lightly surreal, encompassing a landscape or portraiture - that tells a story with background items that relate to – or suggests a connection to the subject. 

The formal qualities of my art often explore strong sculptural form - featuring 3D or vigorous textural contrasts which accentuate the dimensional dynamics of my art. My work is often identified through fluent lines that seem to express a live sense of rhythm and movement. For the most part, I am drawn to working with an understated monotone pallet that relies on the contrast and power of light and shade. However, other works could be described as ‘follies’ that capture surreal, exaggerated proportions with a play on perspective that draw attention to the object or subject identity… and the narrative of these spoofy paintings. I tend to present stronger playful colour to compliment the humor that plays out in these works. 

Often my work reflects the distinctly stylised lines from the Art Nouveau period, Romanticism and even threads that connect back to Celtic art. However, there is no single or constant influence that really affects my art. I do hold a strange, life-long love affair with the vigorous and wiry works of the great Van Gogh. His sad life and his relentless passion as an artist have always affected me deeply. I am often driven to include his ‘strokey’ textures and vigorous emotions … without planned intent!

I do not believe it is always necessary to consider my art should be easily identified as ‘my’ art. I would prefer a viewer to be attracted to the work due to the power of its appeal… and then a curiosity as to the identity of the artist.

My aim is to provide original - visually and emotionally stimulating art that is eye-catching, thought provoking, conceptually inspiring and ultimately captivating. It is a gratifying experience to know your art is engaging viewers on a profound level, invoking a reaction - from instant curiosity to strong comment and even group conversation. The final reward being a sale to a ‘genuinely keen’ buyer.

A quote, printed in the Illawarra Advertiser News (11/10/06 page 16), about one of my award-winning paintings (which won the ‘People’s Choice’, attracting the highest bid at the Mount Kembla Art Prize Auction) when it was acquired by Colin Bloomfield, president of BHP Billiton - Illawarra Coal stated:        “The painting is bright and bold, tells a story and is highly entertaining at the same time.”